9 


learning  anb  ^abor. 

LIBRARY 


University  of  Illinois 


CLASS. 


BOOK. 


VOLUME. 


j,a^  lit 


Accession  No. 


1 


Compliments  of 


♦ ♦ 


State  ||yecutive  (Committee. 

Illinois  i?ouna  /ihen’s  Christian  associations. 


State  Secretary. 


LIBRARY 

^ers?tyTHe 


of  ILLINOIS 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https  ://arch  i ve . o rg/detai  Is/twentyyearssketcOOyo  u n 


CHAIRMEN  OF  STATE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE. 
L.  A.  Trowbridge. 

Watts  DeGolyer. 


W.  A.  Douglass 


Willis  S.  Herrick 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 


UNIVERSITY  of  ILLINOIS, 

Twenty 


Years. 


A sketch  of  the  work  of  the  State 
Executive  Committee  of  Illinois  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Associations,  from  1880 
to  1900. 


STATE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE, 

ILLINOIS  YOUNG  MEN’S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATIONS. 

1900. 


"te  e*.  com. 


ir 

fi 

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cXL 


i 


H 


TWENTY  YEARS  of  organized  work  for  the 
young  men  of  the  State  has  been  done,  under 
the  leadership  of  Mr.  I.  E.  Brown,  by  the 
State  Executive  Committee  of  Illinois  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Associations. 

The  January  (1900)  meeting  of  the  State  Com- 
mittee decided  to  issue  an  account  of  this  work. 
The  Committee  appointed  for  that  purpose  has 
prepared  this  book,  which  it  invites  all  the  friends 
of  the  Association  movement  and  of  young  men 
to  study. 

A more  consistent  and  perhaps  a stronger  pre- 
sentation could  have  been  made  by  one  man,  par- 
ticularly by  the  one  man  who  has  been  most  active 
in  all  this.  But  the  committee  has  planned  to  have 
most  of  the  State  Secretaries  and  several  members 
of  the  Committee  bear  a hand.  Some  advantage  of 
diversity  of  view  and  style  may  have  resulted  from 
this  manner  of  composition,  which  also  accounts  for 
some  personalities,  and  other  impersonalities.  Per- 
haps it  may  as  well  be  said  that  the  chapters  on 
Beginnings,  Secretaries  and  Endowment  were 
neither  written  nor  “ inspired  ” by  State  Secretaries. 

The  chapter  on  Endowment  was  prepared  by 
Dr.  Jonn  M.  Coulter  of  the  University  of  Chicago. 

It  is  a great  and  a blessed  work  in  which  we 
are  all  permitted  to  share.  Let  us  make  it  greater 
and  more  blessed,  in  so  far  as  we  can,  for  the  next 
twenty  years. 

Franklin  W.  Ganse, 

L.  Wilbur  Messer. 


>3 

4 


BEGINNINGS. 

THE  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  move- 
* ment  was  born  in  London  in  1844.  In  1851  it 

crossed  the  Atlantic  and  the  Boston  and  Mont- 
real Associations  were  started.  In  1858  the  work 
began  in  Illinois  by  the  organization  of  the  Chicago 
Association. 

A few  words  are  needed  to  connect  these 
beginnings  with  the  organized  work  for  the  whole 
state  of  Illinois  which  may  properly  be  said  to  have 
commenced  in  1880. 

The  Association  movement  has  been  more  suc- 
cessful in  America  than  in  the  land  of  its  birth,  so 
that  the  “ American  type  of  work  ” which  is  the  same 
as  the  “ Illinois  type,”  is  its  highest  achievement. 
Three  characteristic  principles  account  largely  for 
this  success  of  the  movement  here. 

1.  It  convened.  In  1854  the  American  Asso- 
ciations met  in  the  first  of  those  international  con- 
ventions which  to  this  day  establish  harmony  of 
principles  and  of  methods  all  over  the  continent. 

2 These  conventions  secured  supervision  and 
guidance  for  the  new  Associations  which  were 
rapidly  springing  up.  This  supervision,  the  need  of 
which  might  not  occur  to  a superficial  observer,  is 
vital  to  the  movement;  in  proportion  to  its  wisdom 
and  closeness  is  the  success  of  the  work  in  the  terri- 
tory supervised.  International  supervision  was  loose 
until  after  the  civil  war,  and  consequently  the  work 
of  the  Associations  was  diverse  and  indefinite. 


9 


During  that  war  most  of  the  energy  of  the  members 
went  into  the  work  of  the  Christian  Commission. 

3.  Having  come  together  and  established  at 
least  a measure  of  harmony  and  of  supervision,  the 
third  characteristic  principle  was  soon  adopted — 
that  of  special  work  by  young  men  for  young  men. 

1866  is  a historic  year  in  the  Association  move- 
ment in  America,  because  at  the  Albany  international 
convention  of  that  year  it  was  decided  to  strengthen 
the  International  Committee,  to  give  it  a fixed 
location,  and  to  instruct  its  corresponding  members 
to  call  the  first  State  Conventions  in  their  respective 

states.  The  idea 
of  specialized  work 
for  the  salvation  of 
young  men,  and  of 
those  distinctive 
forms  of  activity 
which  have  proved 
so  popular  and 
effective,  was  also 
a prominent  fea- 
ture of  the  Albany 
convention. 

These  principles 
traveled  slowly  on 
their  trip  to  Illi- 
nois. They  began 
to  reach  us  when  Robert  Weidensall,  Secretary  of 
the  International  Committee,  made  his  first  brief 
visits  in  1869  and  1870.  In  1873  he  called  the  first 
State  Convention.  There  was  no  corresponding 


10 


member  of  the  International  Committee  to  do  it. 
It  met  at  Bloomington,  November  6-9,  1873,  when 
fourteen  Associations  were  represented  by  seventy- 
five  delegates.  In  1875  another  State  Convention, 
worked  up  by  Mr.  Weidensall,  was  held  at  Jackson- 
ville, when  a State  Executive  Committee  was 
appointed,  with  John  V.  Farwell  as  Chairman,  a 
position  he  occupied  for  the  next  three  years,  as  he 
had  already  for  one  year.  This  convention  and  the 
one  held  at  Springfield  in  1876,  acting  under  Mr. 
Weidensall’s  advice  tried  to  secure  Mr.  Charles  M. 
Morton  as  State  Secretary  and  finally  succeeded. 
The  Illinois  Asso- 
ciations, under  Mr. 

Weidensall’s  wise 
nursinghad  learned 
to  come  together 
in  harmony,  and 
had  seen  the  wis- 
dom of  definite 
supervision  clearly 
enough  to  estab- 
lish their  State 
Executive  Com- 
mittee, and  to  em- 
ploy a State  Sec- 
retary. 


Charles  M.  Morton. 


But  as  yet  there  was  almost  no  distinctive,  all 
around  work,  devoted  to  the  modern  purposes  of  a 
Young  Men’s  Christian  Association.  Many  of  the 
organizations  were  mere  rallying  places  for  the 
Christian  young  men  and  women  of  the  community, 


11 


for  promoting  evangelistic  meetings.  In  this  they 
gained  great  success  and  did  much  good.  The  idea 
of  a special  work  for  the  salvation  and  strengthening 
of  young  men  in  soul,  brain  and  body,  which  may  be 
said  to  have  well  begun  in  the  East  by  the  erection 
of  the  New  York  building  in  1869,  had  not  yet 
arrived  here,  and  Mr.  Morton  was  selected  for  his 
abilities  as  an  evangelist,  which  he  well  proved 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  State  up  to 
the  time,  in  the  fall  of  1877,  when  he  resigned  the 
secretaryship  to  enter  the  evangelistic  field. 

By  the  time  of  the  1879  convention  at  Decatur, 
the  Associations  of  the  State  and  their  State  Execu- 
tive Committee  were  thoroughly  converted  to  the 
modern  Association  idea.  They  wanted  the  state 
work  to  be  established  and  supervised  in  harmony 
with  that  idea.  Plans  were  formed  at  that  conven- 
tion for  the  selection  and  support  of  a State  Secre- 
tary who  could  see  to  the  execution  of  this  great 
task.  It  required  a man  consecrated  to  the  salvation 
of  his  fellow  men  throughout  the  great  common- 
wealth, in  sympathy  with  a special  work  which  had 
not  entirely  proved  its  right  to  continue,  able  to 
guide  that  special  work  as  it  should  grow  and  con- 
ditions should  change,  competent  to  influence  men 
of  means  and  of  character  to  lend  their  strength  to 
the  institution,  successful  in  raising  the  money  to 
keep  the  work  moving,  and  ever  ready  to  counsel 
and  guide  the  different  Associations  in  their  difficul- 
ties. In  short,  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associa- 
tion movement  in  Illinois  in  1880  needed  the  man 


12 


who  could  develop  the  work  which  is  described  in 
this  little  book. 

This  man  was  in  Decatur.  He  was  a prominent 
member  of  the  convention  which  was  searching  for 
him.  His  name  was  I.  E.  Brown.  Mr.  Weidensall 
crowned  his  preliminary  work  by  pointing  out  Mr. 
Brown  as  the  right  man  for  State  Secretary  and- by 
inducing  him  to  accept  the  position.  Mr.  Brown 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  office  in  June,  1880 
and  has  proved  not  only  the  right  leader  for  Illinois, 
but  one  of  the  most  influential  among  the  men  who, 
with  God’s  blessing,  have  brought  the  Young  Men  s 
Christian  Associations  of  America  to  their  present 
standard  of  efficiency. 


GROWTH. 

f N the  spring  of  1880,  W.  W.  Vanarsdale,  at  that 
1 time  Secretary  of  the  State  Executive  Com- 
mittee, put  into  the  hands  of  the  new  State  Sec- 
retary a list  of  the  Associations  known  to  exist  in 
Illinois.  Tearing  off  a piece  of  manila  paper  from 
a sheet  on  his  desk,  he  wrote  with  his  stylographic 

pen  sixteen  names.  This  was  the 
beginning  of  the  State  list  of  Asso- 
ciations. Investigation  showed 
that  one  of  the  sixteen  Associa- 
tions had  never  been  organized, 
that  a second  was  not  properly  a 
Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion, and  that  a third  was  near 
dissolution. 

Those  of  the  sixteen  Associa- 
tions reporting  to  the  Convention 
of  1880  showed  a membership  of 
2,393.  Buildings  were  owned  and 
occupied  by  the  Associations  in  Chicago  and  Aurora, 
and  a small  chapel  about  to  be  sold  was  also  held 
by  the  Association  at  Mason  City  which  was  plan- 
ing to  give  up  its  work.  The  total  value  of  real 
estate  reported  was  $122,500,  of  which  $110,000  was 
in  Chicago  and  $12,500  outside.  On  the  latter, 
however,  there  was  an  indebtedness  of  $2,950,  leav- 
ing the  total  real  estate  outside  Chicago  with  a net 
value  of  $9,550. 

Today  the  total  number  of  Associations  is  115, 


14 


exclusive  of  six  organized  bands.  The  reported 
membership  in  October,  1899,  was  17,121. 

Twenty-two  buildings  are  now  occupied  by  the 
Associations,  the  total  value  of  which  is  reported  as 
$2,574,005,  on  which  there  is  an  indebtedness  of 
$875,730,  leaving  the  net  property  in  buildings 
$1,698,275.  To  this,  however,  must  be  added  other 
property  reported,  amounting  to  $143,000,  making 
the  net  property  of  the  Associations  in  Illinois, 
exclusive  of  the  furnishings  of  rooms  and  buildings, 
$1,841,275,  as  contrasted  with  net  property  twenty 
years  ago  of  $119,550. 

This  property  statement  is  perhaps  emphasized 
when  we  recall  the  fact  that  outside  our  great  metro- 
politan city  of  Chicago,  the  net  property  has  grown 
from  $9,550  in  1880  to  $474,170  in  1900. 

In  1880,  thirteen  men  were  employed  by  the 
Associations,  nine  of  these  being  in  Chicago  and 
four  outside. 

So  far  as  could  be  discovered,  in  1880,  the  only 
records  were  the  minutes  of  the  preceding  seven 
conventions,  two  of  these  being  in  manuscript  and 
five  printed  in  pamphlet  form.  There  were  no  sys- 
tematic records  of  the  local  Associations,  no  official 
list  even,  no  recorded  minutes  of  meetings  of  State 
Executive  Committee,  no  lists  of  contributors,  no 
records  of  visitation,  no  plan  for  systematic  reports. 
Today  in  the  central  office  all  these  are  supplied, 
together  with  all  other  records  which  the  experience 
of  years  have  shown  to  be  of  real  value. 

Not  only  has  there  been  development  along  the 
lines  already  indicated,  but  new  lines  of  work  have 


15 


been  opened  up  in  Illinois  as  indicated  in  another 
chapter  of  this  book.  The  Corresponding  Member- 
ship has  been  inaugurated,  has  grown  to  large  pro- 
portions, and  has  proved  its  use- 
fulness. The  secretarial  organi- 
zation has  been  brought  to  an 
efficient  working  basis.  The 
Association  has  been  introduced 
into  the  State  Reformatory  and 
has  begun  a work  among  the 
miners.  The  enlistment  of  col- 
Jacksonville.  lege  men  in  deputation  work  has 
been  inaugurated. 


In  the  internal  development  of  the  Associations 
marked  progress  has  been  made.  Twenty  years  ago 
the  physical  work  was  represented  by  one  small 
gymnasium  in  the  city  of  Chicago.  The  latest  report 
shows  38  of  these  “halls  of  health,”  a number  of 
them  being  in  permanent  Association  buildings  and 
splendidly  equipped. 


The  educational  work,  of  which  there  was  but 
an  embryo  in  1880,  represented  by  five  educational 
classes  reported,  has  made  rapid  progress,  especially 
within  the  last  two  or  three  years.  Two  years  ago, 
five  Associations  reported  to  the  International  Com- 
mittee that  they  conducted  evening  class  work.  In 
1900  this  number  had  increased  to  14,  conducting 
1 12  classes.  Five  of  these  Associations — four  of 
which  were  in  cities  of  less  than  40,000  population — 
took  part  in  the  International  examinations  and 
secured  International  certificates. 


16 


In  the  encouragement  of  Bible  study  good  pro- 
gress has  been  made.  In  the  Student  Associations 
over  1,200  men  were  enrolled  in  voluntary  Bible 
classes  during  the  last  school  year.  In  the  Railroad 
and  City  Associations  836  different  men  were  en- 
rolled in  similar  classes,  a gain  of  50  per  cent,  over 
the  preceding  year.  The  Town  Associations  are 
also  making  progress  in  this  line,  80  men  being  en- 
rolled in  Iroquois  County  alone. 

The  full  significance  of  the  present  work  and  of 
the  growth  of  the  twenty  years  can  scarcely  be 
realized  without  a vivid  understanding  of  the  chaotic 
condition  of  the  Associations  in  this  State  twenty 
years  ago.  With  differing  local  plans  of  work,  with 
indefiniteness  of  aim,  with  poor  material  facilities, 
with  little  to  bind  the  organizations  together,  there 
was  little  to  suggest  the  compact  organization  of 
today.  Perhaps  in  nothing  was  this  more  marked 
than  in  the  lack  of  definite  aim  to  reach  young  men 
and  to  cultivate  the  entire  man,  body,  soul  and  spirit. 
This  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  the  Associations  of 
the  State  reported  but  five  religious  gatherings  per 
week  for  young  men  only.  That  this  direct  religious 
work  for  a definite  class  has  grown  from  five  gather- 
ings per  week  to  258  per  week  indicates  that  the 
Association  has  held  fast  to  the  central  purpose  of 
the  organization. 

Perhaps  no  change  has  been  more  striking  than 
the  general  sentiment  regarding  the  Association 
work  in  the  minds  of  the  ministry  and  of  the  churches 
generally.  Possibly  no  state  today  has  wider  Asso- 
ciation information  or  a broader  sympathy  with  the 


1 7 


Association  movement  than  Illinois.  With  organized 
work — either  Association  or  Band — at  121  points, 
with  our  Corresponding  Membership  reaching  737 
additional  communities,  with  our  financial  constit- 
uency extending  into  more  than  800  towns,  with  our 
literature  as  widely  diffused  as  our  constituency,  the 
Illinois  work  is  built  upon  a broad  basis  of  intel- 
ligence regarding  its  aims,  methods  and  results. 

Some  lines  of  growth  of  the  past  twenty  years 
are  indicated  in  the  accompanying  table  which  in 
graphic  form  shows  something  of  the  progress  of 
this  period. 


18 


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DEPARTMENTS. 

THE  existing  plan  of  Departmental  organization 
1 in  Illinois  is  the  result  of  fourteen  years  of 
growth.  It  dates  its  beginning  at  the  call  of 
W.  F.  Levings  to  the  position  of  Office  Secretary, 
April  17,  1886.  At  the  present  time  it  includes  five 

departments,  each  with  its  secre- 
tary in  charge,  and  with  a clearly 
defined  field  of  effort. 

Of  these  five  departments, 
three,  the  Railroad  and  City,  the 
Student,  and  the  County  and 
Town,  are  known  as  the  field 
departments,  each  having  in 
direct  charge  of  its  work  a Sub- 
Committee  of  the  State  Executive  Committee,  made 
up,  in  each  case,  of  representative  men  from  Asso- 
ciations in  the  department.  The  Secretary  in  charge 
of  the  Correspondence  Department  reports  directly 
to  the  State  Executive  Committee.  The  State  Sec- 
retary and  Assistant  State  Secretary  are  most  closely 
identified  with  the  department  of  General  Adminis- 
tration. They  report  directly  to  the  State  Executive 
Committee,  but  in  their  work  co-operate  with  the 
different  regular  and  special  Sub-Committees. 

The  Railroad  and  City  Department. — In- 
cluded in  this  department  are  the  six  Railroad  and 
twenty-nine  City  Associations  of  Illinois  outside  of 
Chicago,  together  with  the  work  for  the  boys  of  the 


Springfield. 


20 


Illinois  State  Reformatory  at  Pontiac  and  the  Miner’s 
Association  at  Carbon  Hill. 

The  attention  of  the  department  Sub-Committee 
and  Secretary  are  given  chiefly  (a)  To  counsel  and 
co-operation  with  the  Associations  of  the  department 
in  their  business  interests,  and  in  the  formation  and 
development  of  their  general  polices  of  work,  (b) 
To  the  recommendation  of  General  Secretaries  to 
Boards  of  Directors,  as  such  recommendations  are 
needed,  (c)  To  the  reorganization,  in  emergencies, 
of  the  entire  work  and  policies  of  particular  Asso- 
ciations. 

It  also  includes  the  study  of  the  field  at  such 
railroad  centers  or  cities  of  the  state  as  may  desire 
Association  work,  the  recommendation  of  plans  and 
policies  for  the  inauguration  of  such  work,  and  the 
supervision  of  its  establishment. 

Student  Department.  The  Student  Depart- 
ment includes  the  Associations  of  the  State  which 
are  organized  in  institutions  of  higher  learning. 

Of  the  52  Associations  now  enrolled  in  the 
department,  five  are  in  State  Universities;  19  are  in 
professional  schools  of  Chicago;  17  are  in  additional 
universities  and  colleges;  6 are  in  preparatory 
schools;  3 in  normal  and  scientific  schools;  2 are  in 
schools  of  technology  and  manual  training  schools. 

It  is  the  effort  of  the  department  Sub-Com- 
mittee and  Secretary  to  so  effectively  organize  and 
develop  the  organized  Christian  work  in  these  insti- 
tutions of  higher  learning  as  to  secure  for  the  Chris- 
tian organization  its  rightful  place  and  power  in  the 
student  life  and  to  enable  it  to  make  to  the  life  both 


of  the  individual  student  and  of  the  student  body 
the  largest  and  most  helpful  contribution  possible. 

County  and  Town  Department.  The  work  of 
this  department  is  two-fold.  There  are  many  com- 
munities in  the  State  where  it  is  impracticable  to 
organize  an  Association  employing  a General  Sec- 
retary, yet  in  many  of  these  communities  there  are 

groups  of  young  men 
desiring  to  unite 
their  efforts  in  behalf 
of  their  fellow  young 
men.  There  are  at 
present  16  Associa- 
tions and  6 Associa 
tion  Bands  in  the 
Department. 

It  is  the  effort  of  the  department  to  so  co- 
operate, counsel  with,  and  guide  the  efforts  of  such 
groups  of  young  men  as  to  secure  the  best  possible 
results  in  the  work  they  may  undertake. 

It  is  the  further  effort  of  the  department  to 
organize  work  for  young  men  in  a selected  number 
of  counties  of  the  State,  the  work  in  each  county 
being  in  charge  of  a County  Committee  and  County 
Secretary,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  promote  work 
for  young  men  in  the  towns,  villages  and  country 
places  of  the  county. 

Correspondence  Department.  In  737  com- 
munities of  the  state  where  there  is  no  definitely 
organized  Christian  work  for  men  the  State  Com- 
mittee has  appointed  Corresponding  Members.  It 
is  the  duty  of  each  Corresponding  Member  to  notify 


Joliet. 


22 


the  Secretary  in  charge  of  this  department  of  the 
names  and  addresses  of  young  men  leaving  the  com- 
munity to  make  their  permanent  residence  else- 
where. Upon  receipt  of  such  information,  corres- 
pondence is  at  once  begun  with  leaders  of  Christian 
work  in  the  community  to  which  the  young  man 
goes,  and  effort  is  made  to  give  to  him  at  once 
Christian  acquaintances  and  friends. 

General  Administration.  Within  the  field  of 
the  department  of  General  Administration  are 
included,  (a)  The  supervision  of  the  educational  and 
religious  work  of  the  Railroad  and  City  Department, 
(b)  The  regular  and  special  conventions,  confer- 
ences and  “Young  Men’s  Sundays”  held  from  time 
to  time,  (c)  The  necessary  book  keeping,  account- 
ing and  general  office  work  connected  with  the 
administration  of  all  departments,  (d)  The  collec- 
tion, classification  and  issuing  of  Association  statis- 
tics, reports,  etc.  (e)  The  preparation  and  publi- 
cation of  printed  matter  of  the  Committee,  (f)  The 
supervision  of  Association  building  movements, 
(g)  Advisory  relations  with  the  Chicago  Association 
and  its  Railroad  and  City  Departments.  (h) 
Responsibility  for  the  general  business  interests  of 
the  Committee,  with  close  co-operation  with  the 
Department  Sub-Committees  and  Secretaries  in  the 
business  interests  of  the  different  Departments,  (i) 
Close  supervisory  and  unifying  relations  with  all 
departments. 


23 


DISCOVERIES. 

TN  view  of  the  agricultural,  industrial,  commercial, 
A and  educational  supremacy  of  the  Prairie  State, 
it  is  not  to  be  wondered  that  Illinois  should  have 
made  large  and  important  contributions  in  men  and 
ideas  to  the  general  cause  of  the  work  among  young 
men  throughout  the  country.  It  has  been  the 
privilege  of  our  State  to  take  the  lead  not  only  in 
many  important  details  of  administration,  but  also 
in  founding  and  developing  some  permanent  phases 
of  the  Association  work. 

1.  OFFICE  AND  SECRETARIAL  ORGANIZATION. 

Every  well  organized  enterprise  needs  a well 
equipped  office,  with  facilities  for  permanently 
recording  the  facts  incidental  to  the  organization 
and  development  of  its  work.  The  Illinois  State 
Committee  was  the  first  one  in  the  country  to  give 
special  attention  to  the  equipment  of  adequate 
offices.  Its  suite  of  offices  at  609  Association  Build- 
ing is  a place  of  constant  consultation  regarding  all 
phases  of  the  work.  Its  records  are  constantly  in 
demand  for  different  purposes.  Here  the  entire 
time  of  an  office  secretary,  a book-keeper  and  two 
stenographers  is  constantly  occupied,  while  addi- 
tional help  is  frequently  needed. 

With  the  various  lines  of  work,  each  requiring 
peculiar  skill  and  efficiency,  the  Committee  early 
recognized  that  the  principle  of  division  of  labor, 
applied  to  its  work,  would  bring  the  best  results. 


24 


Accordingly  the  department  plan  of  organization 
was  established,  with  a skilled  secretary  in  charge  of 
each  department  and  responsible  for  its  develop- 
ment. But,  in  order  that  the 
different  departments  might 
work  together  with  the  fullest 
degree  of  harmony  and  with 
the  work  of  the  entire  field 
constantly  before  each  depart- 
ment, stated  conferences  of  the 
different  secretaries  were  inau- 
gurated, first  quarterly  and 
then,  with  the  growth  of  the 
work,  monthly.  At  these  meet- 
ings the  condition  of  the  whole  field  comes  in  review, 
weak  points  are  brought  to  light,  and  the  combined 
experience  of  the  whole  force  is  brought  to  bear  on 
problems  of  special  difficulty  and  upon  pressing 
emergencies.  Special  topics  bearing  on  the  internal 
development  and  on  the  extension  of  the  work 
throughout  the  State  are  presented  in  carefully 
prepared  papers  and  are  thoroughly  discussed. 

II.  CORRESPONDENCE. 

Illinois  was  the  first  State  to  give  particular 
attention  to  the  young  men  in  villages  and  country 
districts.  As  a starting  point  in  bringing  the  young 
men  in  the  rural  communities  into  contact  with  the 
Association  work,  the  office  of  Corresponding 
Member  was  created  in  1886.  The  plan  provided 
for  the  selection  and  appointment,  in  every  village, 


Chicago 

Pennsylvania  Lines 
R.  R. 


25 


of  one  earnest  Christian  young  man  whose  special 
duty  it  shall  be  to  inform  the  State  Committee  of 
every  young  man  who  leaves  his  community  to  enter 
school  or  business  in  another  locality.  During  the 
next  five  years,  two  hundred  of  the  towns  in  the 
State  were  supplied  with  these  Corresponding 
Members.  In  1891,  it  was  made  one  of  the  Depart- 
ments of  the  work,  and  a secretary  placed  in  charge, 
giving  a small  portion  of  his  time  to  the  develop- 
ment of  the  plan.  In  1897,  on  the  recommendation 
of  the  secretary  in  charge,  an  important  modification 
was  made  in  the  plan  of  the  work,  and  a central 
bureau  of  correspondence  was  established  at  the 
State  office.  This  bureau  has  since  been  maintained, 
with  much  additional  work,  and  has  very  greatly 
increased  the  efficiency  of  the  plan  of  work.  The 
letters  regarding  removals  are  registered  at  the  state 
office,  and  correspondence  is  immediately  opened 
with  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  or  with 
pastors  or  other  Christian  workers,  asking  special 
attention  to,  and  interest  in  the  young  man  who  has 
just  arrived  in  their  community.  The  letters  fill  a 
twofold  purpose.  First  : They  are  a means  of 
information;  without  them  in  most  cases,  the  Chris- 
tian people  would  know  nothing  of  a stranger  within 
their  gates.  Second  : They  serve  as  a stimulus  to 
earnest  and  thorough  work  in  his  behalf.  Some 
pastors  have  driven  miles  out  into  the  country  to 
meet  and  invite  to  church  the  young  man  concerning 
whom  word  has  been  received  from  the  Correspond- 
ing Member  through  the  State  Committee. 


26 


During  the  first  year  of  the  work  on  this  plan, 
two  hundred  young  men  were  followed  by  these 
letters;  the  second  year,  three  hundred;  and  the 

third  year,  575  young  men  leav- 
ing Illinois  homes  were  fol- 
lowed by  the  letters  of  the  cor- 
respondence bureau.  They  went 
to  twenty-five  different  states 
and  territories,  and  to  three 
foreign  countries.  The  letters 
on  file  at  the  office  show  some- 
thing of  the  efforts  put  forth 
and  of  the  real  good  accom- 
plished. None  of  these  hundreds  of  young  men 
who  have  been  met  by  Christian  people  and  invited 
to  Association  and  church  can  ever  say  “ No  man 
cared  for  my  soul.” 

To  June  I,  1900,  the  system  was  extended  to 
737  towns. 

This  plan  of  work  has  spread  into  many  other 
states  of  the  Union. 


Freeport. 


III.  STATE  REFORMATORY. 

On  March  24,  1898,  a very  unusual  request  came 
to  the  State  Committee.  It  was  from  the  President 
of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Illinois  State  Re- 
formatory, calling  attention  to  the  1,400  boys  between 
the  ages  of  ten  and  twenty-one,  confined  in  the 
Institution,  and  requesting  the  organization  of  a 
Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  among  them. 
Later  on  the  request  was  repeated.  Seriously  ques- 
tioning the  possibility  of  any  permanent  Asso- 


27 


ciation  among  the  boys,  a secretary  was  assigned  to 
investigate  the  conditions.  After  several  visits,  on 
October  30,  1898,  a Young  Men’s  Christian  Associa- 
tion was  organized,  with  16  of  the  Christian  teachers 
as  active  members,  and  several  hundred  of  the  “ first 
grade  ” boys  as  associate  members.  Devotional 
meetings,  planned  and  conducted  by  the  boys  them- 
selves, have  been  held  regularly  ever  since,  with  an 
attendance  averaging  more  than  300,  and  at  times 
reaching  600.  That  these  meetings  have  been  a 
source  of  inspiration  and  helpfulness  to  the  boys,  no 
one  who  has  attended  one  of  their  Sunday  morning 
meetings  could  question.  In  May  1899,  the  Asso- 
ciation Literary  Society  was  formed  and  meetings 
have  been  held  regularly  since.  These  have  also 
been  of  inestimable  benefit  to  the  boys.  The  volun- 
tary expressions  of  the  officers  of  the  Institution 
show  conclusively  the  usefulness  of  this  unique 
organization.  Chaplain  Boiler  says,  “ Our  boys,  as 
well  as  the  officers,  give  frequent  testimony  that 
nothing  in  the  history  of  this  Institution  has  to  them 
ever  availed  for  so  much  in  lasting  and  substantial 
good  as  the  influence  of  our  Association.  It  has 
opened  to  them  a new  world  of  light  and  hope,  and 
dispelled  the  darkness  from  the  heart  and  life  of  many 
a one  who  came  here  disheartened  and  friendless.” 

IV.  THE  KNOX  COLLEGE  BOYS. 

In  1889  there  started  in  Knox  College  a move- 
ment to  send  out  in  the  summer  vacation  a group 
of  volunteers  for  evangelistic  work  among  young 
men  in  some  of  the  smaller  places.  A number  of 


28 


summers  since  have  seen  a similar  band  of  students 
engaged  in  this  work,  Illinois  College  joining  Knox 
for  one  or  two  summers.  The  leader  of  this  move- 
ment was  Geo.  N.  Taylor,  who  afterwards  became 
one  of  the  Assistant  State  Secretaries  in  Illinois. 
He  went  from  that  position  to  the  general  secretary- 
ship at  Decatur,  from  which  he  was  called  to  the 
general  secretaryship  of  the  old  city  of  Mexico. 
While  attending  the  General  Secretaries’  Conference 
at  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  1893  he  was  stricken  down  with 
fever  resulting  from  overwork  and  died  in  that  city 
May  26,  1893. 


The  Knox  College  Boys. 


The  illustration  shows  the  original  band.  The 
first  man  on  the  reader’s  left,  standing,  is  Matt  Gon- 
terman  who  was  in  Knox  Academy  when  the  first 
band  was  formed.  After  finishing  his  course  at 


29 


Knox  he  became  a student  at  Harvard  where  he 
was  a leader  in  athletics.  He  is  now  in  charge  of 
the  physical  work  at  Knox  College. 

Ralph  B.  Larkin  stands  next  to  him.  After 
completing  his  college  and  seminary  course  he 
became  a missionary  of  the  American  Board  at 
Mardin,  Turkey.  Returning  to  this  country  in  1898 
on  account  of  the  health  of  his  wife,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  at  Buena  Vista, 
Colorado. 

Grove  F.  Ekins,  standing  at  the  right  of  the 
picture,  was  in  ’89  a student  in  the  Academy.  He 
completed  the  full  course  at  Knox,  after  which  he 
was  engaged  in  the  Association  work  at  Sacramento 
and  San  Francisco,  California,  He  is  now  General 
Secretary  of  the  Association  at  Galesburg. 

The  first  man  sitting,  at  the  left  of  the  picture, 
is  J.  Philip  Read,  who  was  the  organist  of  the  band. 
George  Taylor,  the  founder  of  the  band  sits  next  to 
him,  followed  by  Thad  Stephens  who  had  just  been 
graduated  in  the  class  of  ’89.  His  work  in  the  band 
led  him  into  the  Association  secretaryship.  After 
two  years  as  General  Secretary  at  Geneseo,  111.,  he 
spent  three  years  as  one  of  the  Assistant  State  Secre- 
taries in  Illinois;  following  which  he  was  General 
Secretary  at  Kankakee,  111.,  and  at  Anderson,  Ind. 
He  is  now  a student  in  the  Chicago  Theological 
Seminary,  and  at  the  same  time  is  serving  as  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  church  at  Morton  Park,  111. 

Sitting  at  the  right  of  the  group  is  L.  Burt  Crane 
who  in  1889  was  a Sophomore  at  Knox.  Since  com- 
pleting his  college  course  and  theological  course  at 


30 


Princeton  he  has  served  for  several  years  as  an 
instructor  of  the  English  Bible  in  Princeton,  at  the 
time  being  assistant  pastor  of  one  of  the  churches. 
He  is  now  pastor  of  the  Calvary  Presbyterian  church, 
Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Besides  those  whose  pictures  are  shown,  three 
others  spent  some  time  with  the  band;  Frank  M. 
Lay,  who  is  now  engaged  in  business  at  Kewanee, 
111.;  E.  E.  Working,  now  a dentist  at  Tiskilwa,  111.; 
and  E.  B.  Cushing,  who  since  completing  his  college 
course  and  his  theological  seminary  course,  has  been 
a professor  in  Yankton  College,  S.  D. 

These  are  some  of  the  most  interesting  and 
important  features  of  Association  work  which  have 
been  developed  in  Illinois  under  the  direction  of  the 
State  Executive  Committee.  Some  of  them  have 
proved  important  contributions  to  the  cause  through- 
out the  country,  in  addition  to  their  primary  success 
in  helping  to  reach  and  save  the  young  men  of 
Illinois. 


3i 


CHAIRMEN. 

J N the  twenty  years  under  consideration  the  State 
1 Executive  Committee  has  had  but  four  chair- 
men. In  1880  Mr.  Watts  DeGolyer  of  the  Watts 
DeGolyer  Varnish  Co.,  Chicago,  was  chosen  to  that 
position.  His  interest  was  especially  marked  in  the 
religious  work  of  the  Association. 

In  1882,  Mr.  W.  A. 
Douglass,  at  that  time 
Assistant  Manager  of 
R.  G.  Dun  & Co.,  was 
chosen  chairman  of  the 
Committee.  This  posi- 
tion he  held  until  1891. 

Mr.  L.  A.  Trowbridge 
assumed  the  duties  of 
chairman  in  that  year. 
Mr  Trowbridge  brought  to  the  Committee  experience 
gained  in  a long  term  of  service  as  a member  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Rockford  Association. 
The  position  of  chairman  he  held  for  four  years. 

Mr.  Douglass  still  remains  a member  of  the 
Executive  Committee  and  Mr.  Trowbridge  is  a 
member  of  the  Advisory  Committee,  both  continuing 
their  interest  in  the  state  work  and  being  closely 
identified  with  it. 

In  1895,  Mr.  Willis  S.  Herrick  of  the  insurance 
firm  of  Lyman  & Herrick  became  chairman  of  the 
Committee,  and  has  continued  in  that  position  to 
the  present  time.  He  has  given  much  of  time  and 


Monmouth. 


effort  to  the  work  of  the  Committee  and  has  put 
himself  in  touch  with  the  Association  work  at  large 
through  attendance  at  International  Conventions. 
His  sound  business  judgment  has  always  been  avail 
able  in  the  work  of  the  Committee. 

The  frontispiece  of  this  volume  shows  the  faces 
of  the  four  men  who  have  been  at  the  head  of  this 
work  during  these  years. 

CHAIRMEN. 

A.  B.  Wicker,  1873-1874. 

John  V.  Farwell,  1874-1878. 

R.  D.  Russell,  1878-1879. 

E.  S.  Albro,  1879-1880. 

Watts  DeGolyer.  1880-1882. 

W.  A.  Douglass,  1882-1891. 

L.  A.  Trowbridge,  1891-1895. 

Willis  S.  Herrick,  1895-1900. 


« * 


33 


SECRETARIES. 


HE  rapid  evolution  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian 


1 Association  movement  has  developed  a new 
profession.  The  large  property  interests,  the 
improved  type  of  men  composing  the  managing 
boards  and  committees,  an  increasing  and  represen- 
tative membership  and  the  important  relationships 
with  religious,  educational,  social  and  civic  move- 
ments has  demanded  executive  leaders  of  special 
training  and  ability.  These  salaried  executive 
officers  in  1871  were  given  the  title  of  “General 
Secretary  ” at  which  time  there  were  less  than  twenty 
such  officers  in  the  entire  country.  The  present 
number,  including  Physical  Directors  and  Educa- 
tional Directors  and  secretaries  of  supervisory  and 
training  agencies  is  1,442,  and  most  Associations 
even  in  towns  of  3,000  population  now  employ  a 
General  Secretary. 

As  the  Directors  of  local  Associations  have  found 
it  necessary  to  secure  a trained  Association  specialist 
in  developing  their  work,  still  more  have  the  State 
Committees  required  similar  officers.  The  first  State 
Secretary  was  engaged  by  the  Pennsylvania  State 
Committee  in  1871.  The  requisite  qualifications  for 
this  position  are  a manly  Christian  character,  a cor- 
rect and  intelligent  conception  of  religious  beliefs 
and  relationships,  social  attractiveness,  a broad 
general  education,  business  ability,  executive  leader- 
ship, knowledge  of  the  history  and  methods  of  the 
Association  movement  and  the  gift  of  acceptable 


34 


SECRETARIES  EMPLOYED  DURING  THE  TWENTY  YEARS,  1880-1900. 

R.  H.  Shanks.  E.  T.  Colton.  G.  N Taylor.  B.  R.  Barber. 

S.  F.  Wishard.  A.  M.  Bruner.  J.  V.  Read.  G.  B.  Smith. 

E E.  Brown.  I E.  Brown.  A.  T.  Stephens. 

F.  H.  Jacobs.  E.  C.  Anderson.  L.  A.  Bowman.  W.  H.  Gebhardt. 

F.  H.  Burt.  A.  G.  Copeland.  W.  F.  Levings.  K.  A.  Shumaker. 


public  speaking.  The  duties  of  the  State  Secretary 
will  include  office  work,  which  implies  a voluminous 
correspondence;  extension,  in  investigating  and 
organizing  new  fields;  finance  work  in  securing 
support  for  the  State  Committee  and  assisting  Asso- 
ciations in  current  and  building  problems;  securing 
and  training  secretaries  for  the 
local  fields;  arranging  for  state 
and  district  conventions;  and  the 
development  of  the  State  Execu- 
tive Committee  in  volunteer 
service  in  these  departments  of 
effort  throughout  the  state. 

The  rapid  growth  of  City, 
Student,  Railroad,  County  and 
other  departments  of  Association  work  has  required 
special  State  Secretaries  for  these  important  fields. 

The  State  Executive  Committee  is.  a purely 
advisory  agency  created  by  and  responsible  to  the 
local  Associations.  Without  authority,  this  com- 
mittee seeks  to  unify,  inspire,  instruct,  supervise  and 
extend  the  Association  movement  throughout  the 
state. 

It  has  been  truly  said  that  the  Young  Men’s 
Christian  Association  is  more  comprehensive  and 
broad  in  its  membership  than  any  other  organization 
which  can  be  suggested.  Not  only  church  members 
but  young  men  of  good  moral  character  without 
regard  to  religious  belief  are  invited  to  enjoy  the 
advantages  and  privileges  of  the  organization.  Class 
barriers  are  unknown  and  the  undisputed  fact  is 
evident  to  all  familiar  with  the  Association  that 


37 


withirfit'is  found  the  capitalist,  the  clerk,  the  college 
student,  the  railroad  official  and  his  employe,  the 
colored  man,  men  of  foreign  races,  the  Indian,  the 
clergyman,  the  manufacturer,  the  mechanic  and 
representatives  of  every  trade  and  calling,  condition 
and  class.  The  executive  officer  of  a committee 
charged  with  the  supervision  and  extension  of  a 
movement  with  such  important  functions  and  delicate 
relationships  must  possess  a rare  personality  to 
accomplish  his  work. 

The  chief  executive  of  the  State  Committee  of 
the  Illinois  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations  is 
Mr.  Isaac  E.  Brown.  For  the  entire  period  of 
twenty  years  covered  by  this  historical  statement 
this  wise,  able  and  honored  man  of  God  has  devoted 
his  life  to  the  young  manhood  of  this  state.  For 
these  twenty  years  he  has  prayed,  traveled  and 
labored  in  promoting  this  work.  The  word  “ govern- 
ments ” in  the  scriptural  classification  of  God’s  work- 
men literally  should  read — guiding  the  helm  of 
affairs.  This  is  the  chief  function  of  our  State  Sec- 
retary. Loyal  to  the  evangelical  basis,  magnifying 
the  study  of  God’s  word  as  suited  to  Association 
ideals,  emphasizing  the  great  fundamentals  of  the 
Christian  life,  in  love  with  definite  work  by  young 
men  for  young  men,  standing  for  symmetrical  devel- 
opment of  the  Association  as  a physical,  religious, 
educational  and  social  agency,  with  rare  tact  and 
organizing  power,  Mr.  Brown  has  ever  sought  to 
come  up  to  the  level  of  his  best,  making  the  most  of 
his  opportunities,  thus  acquiring  the  truest  success. 


38 


From  the  chaotic  conditions  of  the  Association 
movement  as  found  at  the  beginning  of  his  work 
when  Association  aims  were  vague  and  indefinite, 
methods  crude  and  equipment  primitive,  with  little 
financial  support  and  few  efficient  helpers,  the  Illinois 
state  work  has  developed  to  the  strength  and 
efficiency  now  so  generally  recog- 
nized throughout  the  country.  To 
our  veteran  and  pioneer  Interna- 
tional Secretary,  Robert  Weiden- 
sall,  we  are  indebted  for  the  dis- 
covery of  this  man  who  was  turned 
from  the  career  of  a professional 
teacher  (in  which  calling  he  was 
successfully  engaged)  to  the  Asso- 
ciation movement. 

Mr.  F.  H.  Burt  began  his  work  with  the  Com- 
mittee June  15,  1889,  and  closes  his  successful  labors 
in  this  state  in  December  1900,  to  enter  upon  his 
duties  as  State  Secretary  of  Missouri.  Mr.  Burt  has 
proven  himself  a man  of  all  around  development, 
with  marked  administrative  power  and  deep  religious 
experience.  He  largely  effected  the  organization  of 
the  College  Department  in  the  state,  placing  this 
work  upon  a strong  and  permanent  basis,  doubling 
the  number  of  Associations  and  more  than  doubling 
their  efficiency.  In  later  years  with  equal  success  he 
has  been  associated  directly  with  the  work  of  general 
administration. 

Mr.  A.  M.  Bruner  entered  the  service  of  the 
Committee  January  1,  1887.  His  first  work  was  in 
the  Business  Department,  also  devoting  considerable 


39 


time  to  emergency  work.  His  positive,  forceful, 
untiring  effort,  with  deep  devotion  to  the  Associa- 
tion cause,  his  absolute  hopefulness  in  the  face  of 
discouragement  have  resulted  in  heroic  work  often 
amid  discouraging  financial  conditions  in  the  City 
and  Railroad  Associations 

Mr.  L.  A.  Bowman  was  engaged  as  Office  Sec- 
retary March  6,  1890,  and  still  remains  with  the  Com- 
mittee in  this  important  position.  His  work  has 
been  characterized  by  absolute  faithfulness  in  the 
development  of  approved  business  methods  in  office 
and  correspondence  work.  A special  feature  in 
charge  of  Mr.  Bowman  is  the  Correspondence 
Department  which  has  shown  a marvelous  increase. 

Mr.  Karl  A.  Shumaker,  a graduate  of  the  Sec- 
retarial Institute  and  Training  School,  assumed 
charge  of  the  work  in  small  towns  September  I,  1899. 
This  department  also  includes  the  County  work 
which  is  having  a successful  development. 

The  following  additional  persons  have  been 
identified  with  the  State  work  in  Illinois  as  Assistant 
State  Secretaries  : 

Mr.  F.  H.  Jacobs,  now  an  assistant  pastor  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  for  a short  time  assisted  in  general 
work.  He  was  the  first  Assistant  Secretary  but  held 
the  office  only  two  months. 

Mr.  E.  E.  Brown,  a brother  of  our  State  Secre- 
tary, served  the  Committee  from  September  15,  1884, 
to  September  15,  1887,  as  a general  assistant.  His 
rare  qualifications  made  him  a valued  helper  in  the 
formation  and  permanent  development  of  state  work 


40 


i 


SECRETARIES  OF  THE  COMMITTEE,  JUNE,  1900. 


F.  H.  Burt.  E.  T.  Colton. 

K A.  Shumaker.  I.  E.  Brown. 

41 


A.  M.  Bruner. 
L.  A.  Bowman. 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNlVERsny  of  ILLINOIS, 


in  these  earlier  years.  He  suggested  the  correspond- 
ing membership,  the  observance  of  the  “ Young 
Men’s  Sunday,”  and  the  regular  conference  of  State 
Secretaries.  Mr.  Brown  is  now  professor  of  Peda- 
gogy  at  the  University  of  California. 

Mr.  W.  F.  Levings  rendered  most  valuable  service 
to  the  Committee  from  May  15,  1886  to  September 
30,  1894  as  Office  Secretary.  He  created  the  office, 
and  as  a master  of  detail,  with  a devoted  Christian 
life,  intense  enthusiasm  and  loyalty  to  Association 
service,  became  a most  efficient  and  valued  worker. 

Mr.  S.  F.  Wishard,  now  engaged  in  evangelistic 
work  in  Minnesota,  served  the  Committee  in  1888 
and  1889  chiefly  in  promoting  religious  work  among 
the  Associations  of  the  state, 

Mr.  R.  H.  Shanks,  now  engaged  in  business  in 
Winnipeg,  Manitoba,  was  an  Assistant  Secretary  for 
a short  time  in  1888. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Gebhardt,  now  in  business  in  Racine, 
Wis.,  was  engaged  in  the  Office  Department  from 
February  15,  1889  to  March  4,  1890. 

Mr.  Geo.  N.  Taylor  who  entered  the  service  of 
the  Committee  September  5,  1889,  came  to  the  atten- 
tion of  the  State  Committee  through  his  ability  in 
organizing  the  Knox  College  students  for  their  first 
campaign  in  the  state.  Mr.  Taylor’s  time  with  the 
Committee  was  devoted  to  the  work  in  small  towns. 
He  died  May  26,  1893,  being  at  that  time  Secre- 
tary of  the  Association  in  the  City  of  Mexico. 

Mr.  J.  V.  Read,  now  State  Secretary  of  Georgia, 
rendered  special  assistance  in  the  Financial  Depart- 
ment from  September  24,  1890  to  March  31,  1895. 


43 


Mr.  Read  possessed  rare  business  qualities  and 
materially  strengthened  the  business  standing  of  the 
State  Committee. 

Mr.  A.  T.  Stephens  was  Secretary  of  the  Town 

Department  from  October 
24,  1891  to  September  1, 

1894.  He  is  now  a student 
in  the  Chicago  Theological 
Seminary  and  is  at  the  same 
time  acting  as  pastor  of  a 
church. 

Mr.  A.  G.  Copeland,  now 
Chicago,  West  Side.  General  Secretary  at  Kala- 
mazoo, Mich.,  after  success- 
ful service  as  General  Secretary  at  Aurora,  111  , was 
called  to  the  Town  Department  of  the  State  Com- 
mittee September  1,  1895,  occupying  that  position 
until  November  1,  1898.  Mr  Copeland’s  ability  as 
a Bible  teacher  and  his  strength  as  an  organizer  made 
him  specially  efficient  in  his  work, 

Mr.  Geo.  B.  Smith  followed  Mr.  F.  H.  Burt  as 
Student  Secretary  from  September  1,  1895  to  Octo- 
ber 31,  1897.  The  student  work  developed  strongly 
during  this  period  and  the  work  of  Mr.  Smith  was 
so  efficient  and  fruitful  as  to  result  in  a call  to  the 
position  of  General  Secretary  at  Madras,  India. 

Mr.  B.  R.  Barber  followed  Mr.  Smith  in  the 
Student  Department,  conducting  the  work  during 
the  following  College  year.  He  was  equally  suc- 
cessful among  the  Student  Associations  and  while 
occupying  this  position  was  called  to  the  College 
Secretaryship  at  Calcutta,  India. 


44 


Mr.  E.  C.  Anderson  was  engaged  with  the  Com- 
mittee as  Assistant  Office  Secretary  for  one  year. 
He  is  now  a student  at  the  North-Western  Univer- 
sity at  Evanston. 

Mr.  E.  T.  Colton  conducted  the  Student  work 
with  marked  success  during  the  college  year  1899- 
1900  at  the  end  of  which  he  accepted  a position  as  a 
Student  Secretary  of  the  International  Committee. 

The  secretarial  force  engaged  in  the  State  work 
of  the  Illinois  Associations  has  always  labored  as 
men  who  were  divinely  called  to  this  special  work. 
This  conviction  has  resulted  in  a holy  enthusiasm 
leading  to  heroic  endeavor.  Not  always  conspicuous 
but  ever  active,  their  abilities  never  fully  recognized, 
always  courageous  and  forceful,  they  have  shown  a 
power  to  unify  and  inspire  the  entire  Association 
movement  in  this  state.  The  Association  work  in 
Illinois  has  been  blessed  with  unity  and  progress. 
The  State  Secretaries,  who  are  traveling  sermons 
throughout  the  year  in  all  parts  of  the  state,  have 
largely  contributed  to  the  general  success  of  the 
entire  movement. 


45 


LIST  OF  STATE  SECRETARIES  AND  ASSISTANTS. 


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Sept.  14, 
Sept.  15, 
Sept.  30, 

Aug.  5, 
Oct.  31, 
Mar.  4, 

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Sept.  1, 
Nov.  1, 
Oct.  31, 
Tune  30, 
Sept.  15, 
June  15, 

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46 


BUILDINGS. 


THE  progress  made  in  the  past  twenty  years  in 
* securing  homes  for  the  Associations  of  Illinois 
has  been  marked.  In  the  year  1880  there  were 
two  Association  buildings  in  the  State.  One  of 
these  was  the  building  of  the  Chicago  Association 
with  its  entrance  at  148  Madison 
street.  The  total  value  of  the 
property  was  given  as  $100,000. 
A large  part  of  the  building  was 
rented  for  various  purposes. 
Through  a book  store,  entrance 
was  secured  by  a 12-foot  passage 
way  to  a few  rooms  in  the  rear 
which  were  devoted  to  the  Asso- 
ciation. These  consisted  of  a 
general  reading  room  in  which  the 
office  was  located,  a parlor  and  a 
lecture  hall  in  which  the  noon 
meetings  and  other  religious 
Chicago  Central.  gatherings  were  held.  In  the  base- 
ment were  located  a few  poorly  constructed  bath 
rooms  and  the  toilet  rooms.  A room,  with  entrance 
from  Arcade  court,  was  devoted  to  the  Employment 
Bureau,  while  on  the  fourth  floor  a small  room  was 
fitted  up  for  the  gymnasium.  On  the  second  floor 
with  separate  entrance  from  Madison  street  was  the 
large  Farwell  Hall  capable  of  seating  some  1 ,700 
people. 


47 


The  second  building,  at  Aurora,  valued  at 
$10,000,  with  an  indebtedness  of  $2,950,  practically 
had  no  facilities  for  Association  work.  The  base- 
ment was  occupied  by  a Chinese  laundry,  the  gilded 
sign  of  a pawnbroker  swung  above  the  first  floor 
entrance,  while  a photographer  occupied  the  second 
floor.  The  rear  room  on  the  first  floor  was  used  by 
various  philanthropic  societies,  and  once  a year  was 

taken  possession  of  by  the 
Young  Men’s  Christian  Associ- 
ation for  its  annual  election  of 
officers.  On  May  10,  1880,  the 
Association  was  reported  by 
one  of  its  former  officers  as 
“dead.” 

The  total  value  of  real  estate 
reported  in  1880  was  $122,500 
with  an  indebtedness  of  $2,950 
leaving  a net  property  of  $1 19,550. 

The  last  state  report,  1899,  shows  the  value  of 
22  buildings  to  be  $2,574,005,  and  other  property  is 
also  reported,  amounting  to  $143,000.  Subtracting 
an  indebtedness  of  $875,730,  there  is  shown  to  be  a 
net  property  value  of  $1,841,275. 

There  is  appended  a table  showing  the  value  of 
buildings,  real  estate,  etc.,  as  reported  to  the  State 
Executive  Committee,  in  October,  1899.  This  table 
also  indicates  the  date  when  each  building  was 
dedicated  or  occupied.  There  are  also  inserted 
small  half-tones  of  every  Association  building  in  the 
State  at  the  close  of  the  twenty  years. 


48 


It  is  impossible,  however,  either  by  table  or 
by  illustration  to  indicate  the  prayer,  effort  and  self 
sacrifice  which  have  gone  into  the  building  move- 
ment in  this  state.  In  connection  with  almost  every 
building  enterprise,  incidents  have  occurred  which 
might  well  find  record  here  were  there  space  to 
record  them. 

The  building  fund  at  Jacksonville,  where  was 
erected  the  first  building  during  the  twenty  years, 
was  begun  by  subscrip- 
tions of  $500  each  from  a 
young  lawyer  and  two  young 
physicians.  The  foundation 
of  the  building  fund  of  the 
Central  Department  in  Chi- 
cago was  laid  through  a 
bequest  of  $50,000  from  Mr. 

John  Crerar.  The  West  Side 
Department  building  was 
made  possible  through  a single  gift  of  one-third  of 
the  $50,000  necessary.  The  splendid  canvass  at 
Freeport  in  1894,  when  $16,500  was  raised  in  three 
weeks  to  save  the  building,  is  worthy  of  special  note. 
At  Galesburg,  Jacksonville  and  Monmouth,  the  lot 
was  the  gift  of  a single  individual,  while  at  Rockford, 
a part  of  the  present  site  was  similarly  donated. 

The  building  movement  has  but  just  begun.  As 
the  twenty  years  close,  Elgin  is  in  the  midst  of  a 
building  canvass;  Decatur  is  agitating  the  matter  of 
a new  building;  while  generous  offers  have  been 
made  by  three  railroad  companies  for  as  many 
buildings  for  their  employes. 


49 


BUILDINGS,  REAL  ESTATE,  ENDOWMENT  FUNDS,  ETC. 

(OCTOBER,  1899.) 


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BUILDINGS,  REAL  ESTATE,  ETC.— Concluded. 


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Rockford 

Rock  Island 

Springfield  

University  of  111 . . . 

PQ 


51 


ACTUALITIES. 


CIELD.  The  Old  Prairie  State  is  not  exceeded 
A by  any  in  the  Union  for  magnificent  resources, 
with  its  mighty  fields  of  cereals  waving  for  the 
harvest,  vast  bodies  of  coal  and  mineral  wealth  wait- 
ing to  be  converted  from  raw  material  into  finished 

product  and  sent  to  every  part  of 
the  world.  We  realize  that  in 
bringing  about  this  transformation 
the  greatest  factor  is  man.  Turn- 
ing to  investigate,  we  see  nearly 
one  million  young  men  within  our 
borders  and  appreciate  that  the 
field  is  one  calling  for  courage, 
faith  and  sacrifice. 

Need.  With  the  saloon,  gamb- 
ling house  and  brothel,  triumvirate 
of  the  powers  of  darkness  on  every 
hand  to  rob  us  of  our  heritage, 
municipal  depravity  and  misrule, 
with  a mighty  conflict  raging  between  capital  and 
labor,  and  the  church  pleading  with  outstretched 
hands  for  men  to  carry  forward  the  work  in  home 
and  foreign  fields,  we  must,  concede  that  at  no  time 
in  the  world’s  history  has  greater  need  existed  than 
at  present. 

Responsibility.  Flocking  by  thousands  into 
the  cities,  mingling  with  the  discordant  element  in 
the  industrial  world,  crowding  into  colleges  and 
professional  schools,  ready  to  be  moulded  into  loyal 


Chicago, 

Englewood. 


52 


citizens  or  carping  demagogues,  the  Association 
holds  men  for  a day  in  its  hands  in  their  onward 
march  to  destiny.  This  responsibility  must  be  met 
with  promptness  and  fidelity. 

Organization.  Twenty  years  of  conservative, 
active  effort  in  Illinois  have  developed  an  agency 
for  the  extension  of  an  aggressive  work  among 
young  men  unsurpassed  by  any  in  the  Association 
world.  With  a well  organized  State  Executive  Com- 
mittee, composed  of  prominent  business  men  iden- 
tified with  the  work,  well  organized  Sub-Committees 
actually  engaged  in  working  out  the  problems,  and 
experienced  secretaries  in  charge  of  Railroad  and 
City,  Student,  County  and  Town,  Business  and 
Correspondence  Departments,  its  utility  and  com- 
prehensiveness is  unequalled,  while  a successful 
record  of  twenty  years  stands  behind  it  like  a granite 
wall  indicating  solidity  and  strength. 

Office.  Among  the  facilities  for  handling  this 
vigorous  work  is  a well  equipped  office,  containing 
accurate  records  of  statistics,  meetings  of  Com- 
mittees and  secretaries,  state  gatherings,  conven- 
tions, policies,  emergencies  and  detail  work;  the 
value  of  which  can  hardly  be  estimated  in  dealing 
with  problems  constantly  arising  for  adjustment 
and  solution. 

Associations.  One  hundred  and  fifteen  Asso- 
ciations with  a membership  of  17,121  are  touching 
young  men  in  cities,  towns,  colleges  and  professional 
schools,  railroad  centers,  mining  districts,  military 
camp  and  State  Reformatory;  and  over  700  Corres- 
ponding Members  are  following  by  letter  hundreds 


53 


of  young  men  who  are  constantly  moving  from  place 
to  place. 


Secretaries.  A body  of  loyal  General  Secre- 
taries are  serving  as  executive  officers  of  the  Asso- 
ciations. Not  only  are  these  men  efficient  officers 
and  leaders,  but  they  stand  as  one  man,  representa- 
tives of  the  united  work  in  closest  bonds  of  Christian 
brotherhood. 


Constituency.  The  kind  and 
friendly  spirit  in  which  the  work 
is  held  is  evidenced  as  follows: 
In  1880  there  were  enrolled  on  the 
books  of  the  Committee  44  per- 
sonal subscriptions  aggregating 
$1,500;  while  in  1899,  4,700  sub- 
scriptions aggregating  $18,171.00 
were  recorded. 

Recognition.  The  work  of 
twenty  years  ago  would  scarcely 
be  recognized  in  the  growing 
organization  of  today.  With  the 
personnel  of  strong  Christian  business  men  has  come 
recognition  from  individuals,  railroads,  state  institu- 
tions, military  authorities  and  corporations,  that 
means  wider  influence  and  larger  returns  for  the 
investment  of  money  and  effort. 


Pana. 


Property  and  Favor.  The  number  and  value 
of  the  buildings  owned  throughout  the  state  gives 
the  work  stability  and  power,  while  the  manifest 
favor  of  God  is  evidenced  in  thousands  of  lives 
transformed  by  the  power  of  the  Gospel,  hundreds 


54 


more  aroused  to  Christian  activity  and  scores  of 
others  sent  to  carry  the  Gospel  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth.  Onward,  upward  and  forward  the  forces  are 
moving,  and  catching  a glimpse  of  morning  sunlight 
on  the  far  away  heights,  sing  with  Longfellow  : 

“Out  of  the  shadow  of  night, 

The  world  rolls  into  light, 

’Tis  daybreak  everywhere.” 


55 


OPPORTUNITIES. 


Mt.  Carmel 
R.  R. 


|Yj  OTWITHSTANDING  al!  that  has  been  accom- 
* plished  in  the  last  twenty  years,  the  unorganized 
communities  far  outnumber  those  which  today  have 
the  helpful  influence  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian 
Association.  To  many  of  these  unorganized  com- 
munities the  doors  are  now  wide  open.  With 

adequate  support  and  an  adequate 

force  of  secretaries,  much  of  the 
unoccupied  territory  could  be 
speedily  taken  for  the  Association 
cause. 

I.  The  Cities.  Illinois  con- 
tains 44  cities  above  5,000  popu- 
lation. In  these  there  were 
gathered  at  the  time  of  the  census 
of  1890,  a population  of  1,595,678, 
about  one-fifth  of  whom  were  young  men. 

Let  us  use  our  imagination  if  we  can  to  get 
before  us  the  picture  of  what  it  would  mean  if  in 
these  44  cities  there  were  not  opened  a single  door 
of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association;  thousands 
upon  thousands  of  saloon  doors  wide  open,  doors 
leading  to  every  form  of  vice  and  debauchery,  but 
not  one  door  where  one  of  the  half  million  of  young 
men  might  find  a hand  of  Christian  welcome,  a place 
of  refuge,  influences  buttressing  faith  and  virtue.  If 
such  a condition  could  be  brought  vividly  before  the 
united  Christian  church  it  would  indeed  arouse  an 
enthusiasm  by  the  side  of  which  the  enthusiasm  of 

56 


the  First  Crusade  would  pale.  Peter  the  Hermit 
preached  his  Crusade  to  rescue  an  empty  tomb  from 
the  hands  of  the  Saracens,  but  this  Crusade  is  for 
living  men,  made  in  the  image  of  God,  but  degrading 
that  image  all  too  often  to  the  level  of  the  beasts. 

But  something  has  been  done  in  providing  the 
open  doors.  In  1880  there  were  organizations — the 
most  of  them  very  limited  in  the  scope  of  their  work 
— in  nine  of  the  44  cities.  At  present,  organizations 
exist  in  30  cities  above  5,000  population.  Not  only 
have  the  nine  been  gradually  strengthened  in  their 
work,  but  21  new  points  have  been  opened.  We 
must  remember,  however,  that  fourteen  cities  above 
5,000  population,  nearly  one-third  the  whole  number 
in  the  state,  are  still  without  organized  Christian 
work  among  young  men. 

If  we  take  a little  lower  limit,  namely  3,000 
population,  we  shall  find  that  85  cities  of  that  class 
are  found  within  our  Commonwealth.  Organizations 
exist  in  39.  We  immediately  realize  that  the  number 
of  communities  exceeding  3,000  population  which 
still  have  no  Christian  Associations  reaches  46,  or 
more  than  half  the  whole  number. 

Is  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  in  our 
community  of  value  ? Has  it  furnished  a rallying 
point  for  Christian  work  ? Has  it  given  an  open 
door  of  refuge  to  tempted  and  tried  young  men  ? 
Has  it  increased  the  love  for  the  Word  of  God? 
Has  it  quickened  the  spiritual  nature  ? Then  does 
there  not  sound  out  a call  to  those  who  have  been 
thus  favored  that  they  should  remember  the  less 


57 


favored,  and  see  that  the  agency  of  the  united  work 
is  strengthened  so  that  it  may  extend  this  net  work 
of  influence  until  it  shall  reach  every  city  within  the 
borders  of  Illinois. 

II.  Railroad  Communities.  There  are  within 
the  borders  of  Illinois  80,000  railroad  men.  Recently 
a great  advance  has  been  made  in  the  establishment 

of  Railroad  Associa- 
tions, but  as  yet,  not 
one-half  of  the  stra- 
tegic points  for 
reaching  railroad 
men  are  touched  by 
our  Associations. 
With  the  strengthen- 
ing of  our  state  work 
this  Department 
It  seems  worthy  the 
ambition  of  man  to  make  the  extension  of  this  work 
possible  through  larger  gifts. 

III.  Town  and  Country.  There  are  in  Illinois 
2,5 77  post  offices.  There  are  85  cities  and  towns 
above  3,000  population.  This  leaves  the  number  of 
communities  with  less  than  3,000  population  at  2,492; 
twenty-five  hundred,  in  round  numbers,  in  which 
the  population  is  small,  and  often  the  moral  and 
religious  influences  very  weak.  In  1890  more  than 
half  the  population  of  the  state  was  in  such  commu- 
nities. 

Total  population,  - - 3,826,351 

In  cities  above  3,000,  - - 1,744,316 

In  communities  not  exceeding  3,000,  2,082,035 

58 


Chicago,  C,  & N.-W.  R.  R. 
might  be  greatly  extended. 


Of  the  102  counties  in  Illinois,  69  counties  have 
no  community  exceeding  5,000  population  and  40 
of  these  counties  have  no  community  exceeding 
3000. 

Those  who  have  investigated  the  conditions  of 
these  smaller  communities  are  made  painfully  aware 
by  observation  and  by  conversation  with  the  pastors, 
of  the  utter  lack  of  interest  in  anything  relating  to 
church  work  on  the  part  of  most  young  men.  One 
writes  concerning  it,  “There  is  nothing  like  actual 
contact  with  conditions  to  impress  one  with  the 
need.” 

IV.  Institutions  of  Learning.  As  we  turn 
to  our  colleges  and  institutions  of  higher  learning,  we 
are  almost  appalled  by  the  tremendous  possibilities 
which  are  ours  in  touching  the  very  springs  of 
influence  for  Jesus  Christ.  In  one  hundred  institutions 
of  Illinois,  there  were  during  the  academic  year  of 
1897-8  more  than  17,000  young  men.  The  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Association  was  organized  in  insti- 
tutions containing  11,700  of  this  number.  But  per- 
haps the  most  striking  fact  is  this  that  more  than 
6,000  of  these  young  men  were  in  schools  where  the 
only  direct  religious  influence  was  that  exerted  by 
the  Association.  The  most  of  the  college  work  of 
the  state  has  been  brought  into  existence  through 
the  co-operation,  and  kept  in  good  condition  through 
the  supervision,  of  the  State  Executive  Committee. 
While  we  have  reached  institutions  containing  two- 
thirds  of  the  young  men,  it  still  remains  true  that 
more  than  half  of  the  institutions  are  yet  without 
the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association. 


59 


If  this  Department  of  work  were  the  only  one 
conducted  by  the  State  Executive  Committee,  would 
it  not  be  a privilege  to  have  a part  in  it,  and  a large 
part,  too;  realizing  the  tremendous  sweep  of  the 
influences  which  center  in  college  life  ? 

V.  Miners’  Work.  Besides  these  well  recog- 
nized fields  of  labor,  there  are 
others,  not  so  prominent  perhaps 
in  thought,  but  needing  most 
careful  attention.  In  Illinois  there 
are  35,000  miners,  half  as  many  as 
the  number  of  railroad  men,  more 
than  twice  as  many  as  the  number 
of  college  boys.  But  a glance  at 
the  actual  conditions  under  which 
these  miners  work  will  give  con- 
vincing argument  of  the  need  of 
special  religious  work  among  them. 

In  one  town  where  this  work  has  been  begun,  a 
town  of  perhaps  900  population,  eleven  saloons  were 
found  doing  their  work  vigorously  and  successfully. 
There  was  no  resident  pastor  in  the  town,  and  there 
was  no  door  constantly  open  for  the  young  man 
except  the  saloon  door.  Now  in  the  midst  of  this 
community  a good  strong  Association  work  has  been 
undertaken  with  a building  rented  and  fitted  for  this 
work.  But  this  work  has  been  started  in  but  one  of 
the  many  mining  communities  of  the  state. 

VI.  Corresponding  Membership.  As  we  have 
already  said  there  are  nearly  2,500  communities  in 
Illinois,  in  none  of  which  there  are  over  3,000  popu- 
lation. Some  day  it  may  be  that  Associations  will 


Galesburg. 


60 


be  organized  very  extensively  in  these  smaller  com- 
munities, but  in  the  meantime  tides  of  young  men 
are  setting  out  from  these  smaller  places  toward  the 
great  city  centers.  We  cannot  wait  for  organization. 
We  must  not  allow  these  thousands  upon  thousands 
of  young  men  to  leave  their  country  homes  with  no 
effort  on  our  part  to  bring  them  into  contact  with 
warm  and  earnest  Christian  life. 

Fourteen  years  ago  last  Spring,  the  plan  was 
inaugurated  of  securing  a Corresponding  Member  in 
each  unorganized  field.  This  Corresponding  Mem- 
bership gradually  grew  until  in  1892  these  represen- 
tatives of  the  Association  were  found  in  326  com- 
munities. Since  that  time  enlargement  has  continued 
until  today  over  700  of  these  agents  of  the  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Associations  have  been  appointed 
in  as  many  towns  in  Illinois. 

Now  suppose  this  whole  system  were  blotted 
out.  It  is  already  apparent  that  hundreds  of  young 
men  who  are  now  brought  into  touch  with  Christian 
influence  at  the  very  beginning  of  their  life  away 
from  home  would  be  left  to  drift  into  idle  and  hurt- 
ful companionships. 

It  seems  a blessed  co-partnership  into  which 
some  thousands  of  Illinois  men  and  women  have 
entered;  a co-partnership  the  object  of  which  is  to 
save  the  young  manhood  of  this  state;  a co-partner- 
ship in  which  the  Lord  Himself  has  an  interest.  We 
are  co-workers  with  Him,  by  prayer  and  effort,  by 
gift  and  sacrifice. 

Some  sweet  day,  someone  to  whom  the  Lord 
has  given  large  means  will  count  it  a joy  to  make 

61 


this  work  a permanent  feature  of  our  activities,  and 
to  put  it  beyond  the  possibility  of  being  crippled, 
but  until  that  glad  day,  the  work  must  be  carried  on 
by  the  subscriptions  of  many  friends  who  want  some 
small  investment  in  this  work  of  the  King. 

We  have  now  glanced  at  some  of  the  things  that 
have  been  done  and  some  that  remain  to  be  done. 
There  is  needed  for  the  proper  prosecution  of  the 
work,  $17,000  a year. 


62 


MAINTENANCE. 

HTHE  annual  expense  budget  made  necessary  in 
A the  maintenance  of  the  comprehensive  work 
entrusted  to  the  Committee  has  increased  from 
$2,300  in  1880  to  $17,100  in  1900.  The  money 
necessary  to  meet  this  budget  comes  to  the  Com- 
mittee’s Treasury  from  two  sources. 

1.  The  appropriations 
of  local  Associations  to- 
ward the  maintenance  of 
the  united  work.  Such 
appropriations,  where 
made,  are  voluntary,  but 
nearly  all  of  the  local 
Associations  recognize  the 
propriety  of  financial  co- 
operation in  the  work 
which  they  have  brought  into  being,  and  which 
exists  largely  in  their  interests.  These  appropria- 
tions range  from  $5  to  $600,  and  the  aggregate 
amount  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  December  31,  1900 
is  $1,769.50. 

2.  The  only  other  source  of  the  Committee’s 
income  is  found  in  the  voluntary  subscriptions  of 
the  friends  of  Christian  manhood  in  Illinois.  These 
subscriptions  range  from  $1  to  $500  each,  there  being 
many  of  the  former,  and  but  one  of  the  last  men- 
tioned amount.  Without  question  the  financial 
strength  of  the  Illinois  work  is  found  in  the  large 
number  of  people  in  all  parts  of  the  state,  who  have 

63 


Chicago,  Grand  Trunk, 
R.  R. 


many  of  them  during  an  uninterrupted  series  of  years 
helped  through  their  financial  support  to  make 
possible  the  growth  and  attainment  of  these  years. 
Other  states  and  other  agencies  of  Christian  effort 
have  larger  subscriptions  and  more  large  subscrip- 
tions. No  State  Committee  of  Young  Men’s  Chris- 
tian Associations  and  few  other  forms  of  Christian 
work  in  Illinois  have  a larger  number  of  interested 
and  helping  friends  than  the  “Illinois  State  Work.” 

Notwithstanding  this,  the  securing  of  adequate 
financial  support  requires  far  too  large  a proportion 
of  the  time  and  strength  of  the  secretarial  force,  and 
is  made  possible  only  by  continued  prayer  and 
effort.  The  need  of  increased  support  in  caring  for 
the  annual  current  expenses  of  the  Committee  is 
immediate  and  pressing. 


64 


ENDOWMENT. 


HAT  close  supervision  of  State  Work  is  neces- 


1 sary  is  no  longer  an  open  question.  It  is  not 
merely  essential  from  a theoretical  point  of  view, 
but  years  of  practical  experience  have  demonstrated 
that  it  is  of  vital  importance.  The  proper  financial 
support  of  supervision  has  always  been  a serious 
problem,  and  has  taken  much  of  the  time  and  energy 
of  the  State  Committee,  and  of  the  Secretaries. 


Under  the  present 
methods  the  work 
secures  a bare 


secures  a bare 
h a n d - t o - mouth 
existence,  which 
handicaps  it  in 
every  direction, 
and  induces 
timidity  and  uncer- 


Evanston. 


tainty  where  there  ought  to  be  aggressiveness  and 
confidence. 

The  present  publication  indicates  the  great 
interests  involved  in  the  State  Work.  Probably  no 
other  single  enterprise  means  so  much  to  the  State 
in  Christian  manhood.  And  yet  the  work  is  not  in 
proportion  to  the  greatness  of  the  state.  The  present 
state  force  is  working  up  to  its  limit,  and  the 
unoccupied  territory  must  be  a region  of  hope,  rather 
than  cultivation.  The  reasons  why  money  for  super- 
vision is  difficult  to  obtain  are  evident.  Supervision 
is  ageneral,  impersonal  thing,  which  lacks  the  appeal 


to  local  pride  and  to  the  desire  to  do  good  at  home, 
which  is  so  effective  in  most  good  enterprises.  It  is 
work  which  is  pervasive  rather  than  evident,  working 
through  men  rather  than  before  men.  It  takes 
intelligence  to  see  that  money  for  supervision  works 
in  every  locality;  and  it  takes  unselfishness  to  give 
money  which  works  behind  the  scenes  rather  than 
upon  the  stage. 

It  seems  certain  that  the  work  ol  supervision 

cannot  be  maintained  and 
developed  properly  with- 
out an  endowment  which 
will  secure  a reasonable 
income.  What  an  endow- 
ment will  do  for  super- 
vision may  be  summarized 
as  follows  : 

i.  It  Will  Liberate 
Energy  for  Legitimate  Work.  What  has  im- 
presed  me  more  than  anything  else  in  connection 
with  the  State  Work  is  our  waste  of  energy.  We 
engage  efficient  secretaries  to  supervise,  and  then 
compel  them  to  divert  their  energies  from  the  work 
of  supervision  to  the  raising  of  money  for  their  own 
support.  I venture  to  say  that  although  the  amount 
of  time  given  to  money  raising  may  not  be  equal  to 
that  given  to  the  real  work,  the  amount  of  nerve 
tissue  used  up  is  greater.  The  work  of  supervision 
is  a joy,  but  the  raising  of  the  budget  is  an  unmiti- 
gated evil.  I am  not  asking  that  men  shall  be 
relieved  from  work,  but  that  they  may  be  free  to 
work  less  for  means  and  more  for  results. 


Decatur  R.  R. 


66 


2.  It  Helps  in  Securing  and  Retaining 
Strong  Men  as  Secretaries.  It  is  necessary  to 
develop  men  through  years  of  service  in  order  to 
secure  the  greatest  efficiency.  Illinois  has  been 
wonderfully  fortunate  in  securing  and  retaining 
strong  men,  but  it  has  not  been  because  of  their  love 
for  their  annual  budget  experience.  To  abandon 
other  plans,  and  to  enter 
upon  secretarial  work  for 
life,  is  a decision  which 
demands  something  defi- 
nite as  to  the  future,  and 
it  is  no  wonder  that  strong 
men  are  induced  against 
their  real  desires  to  refuse 
or  abandon  such  a life 
work. 

3.  It  Will  Permit  Plans  Which  Look  to 
the  Future.  At  present  the  only  plan  possible  is 
one  which  looks  to  holding  on  to  the  work  for  one 
year.  In  a business  sense  the  years  which  follow  are 
blanks.  The  State  Committee  needs  to  be  free  to 
plan  a campaign  which  looks  far  enough  ahead  to 
include  the  complete  occupation  of  the  State  of 
Illinois  with  aggressive  work.  No  one  is  interested 
in  planning,  no  one  can  plan  a campaign  whose 
future  is  indefinite.  It  is  the  certainty  of  the  future 
which  makes  possible  work  of  dignity  and  force,  of 
increasing  comprehensiveness  and  attainments. 

The  time  has  certainly  come  when  those  who 
seek  largest  returns  from  their  gifts  in  the  name  of 


University  of  Illinois. 


67 


the  Master  should  join  in  providing  an  endowment 
for  the  work  of  supervision. 


ENDOWMENT  NEEDED. 


General  Administration,  - 

$200,000 

Railroad  and  City. 

100,000 

Student,  - - 

40,000 

County  and  Town, 

40,000 

Correspondence, 

20,000 

Total,  - 

$400,000 

68 


FORM  OF  BEQUEST  FOR  STATE  WORK. 


I give,  devise  and  bequeath  to  the  “State  Execu- 
tive Committee,  Illinois  Young  Men’s  Christian 
Associations,”  the  sum  of Dollars. 


Signed  by  the  said 

as  and  for  his  last  will  and  testament,  in  the  pre- 
sence of  us,  who,  at  his  request,  in  his  presence,  and 
in  the  presence  of  each  other,  have  hereunto  sub- 
scribed our  names  as  witnesses. 


(To  be  signed  by  not  less  than  two  witnesses). 


~ . 


¥ 

' 


• . 


' 


